OUR SPONSORS

There are many sponsors and supporters behind the successful establishment of the Showgrounds Community Men’s Shed that we would like to recognise and thank.

 

ROTARY CLUBS:

The six Rotary Clubs of Dalkeith, Nedlands, West Perth, Matilda Bay, Western Endeavour and Crawley were responsible for initiating the establishment of the Steering Committee that drove the development of the Shed.  The clubs provided members for the Steering Committee that contributed time and experience in setting up the structure and format for the Shed.       

The Clubs also contributed $5,000 each for seed capital to cover incorporation and other start-up costs.

In addition Dalkeith, Nedlands and West Perth Clubs contributed $25,000 each for development costs.  The total contributed by the Rotary Clubs was in excess of $100,000. 

A factor not fully recognised is that the combined influence of six Rotary supporting the project had a significant effect on the positive outcome of funding applications and was a real factor in gaining support from Lotterywest and the Gaming Community Trust.

 

MICHAEL CHANEY AO - PATRON

Michael Chaney was approached in the formative days of the Steering Committee to become our Patron.  He accepted without hesitation and has been a keen supporter and an influence in government and other funding circles.

Michael is widely recognised as a talented woodworker and has taken a close interest in the development of the Shed.  During an inspection of the shed following an initial clean out of the animal stalls and old showtime equipment Michael offered a personal contribution of $50,000 towards the refurbishment costs.  The funds were in the Shed’s bank account that same night.  The donation was the catalyst to approach the Rotary Clubs for the donations recorded in the previous section and allowed the development to get underway.

 

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

The Shed development started following a meeting with the Royal agricultural Society CEO Peter Cooper.  The former Animal Kingdom Pavilion at the Ashton Avenue end of the Showgrounds had been earmarked for demolition and had been used for many years for storing showtime props and a variety of display equipment. 

Negotiations with the RAS resulted in a lease of the site for twenty years at a nominal annual rental. 

The working relationship with the RAS has been excellent and continues on that basis.  It is considered by all concerned that the Men’s Shed will add a new dimension to the use of the Showgrounds and a new level of activities to the regular use of the Showgrounds with the weekly presence of a hundred or so men. 

 

GAMING COMMUNITY TRUST

The effort of seeking funds for the restoration and equipping the Shed included formal applications for funding being lodged with a number of known community funding organisations. 

The first positive response was from the Gaming Community Trust which approved an amount of $100,000 for the restoration and creation of the meeting room, the kitchen and both offices. The funds were well utilised and resulted in exceptional facilities which will be adequate for the future of the Shed.

Subsequently, the Gaming Community Trust has approved a further grant of $25,000 for the construction of a Disabled Toilet at the Shed.

 

LOTTERYWEST

Lotterywest has approved a grant of $120,000 for the development of the heavy machinery workshop, the provision of the woodworking equipment and the installation of the dust extraction system in the workshop.

 

TOWN OF CLAREMONT

The Town of Claremont provided the Shed a grant of $5600 for the development of the Shed Garden Area. This grant provided the additional funding to assist us in completing the Garden project just in time for official opening of the Shed on February 27^th 2020.

 

OTHER SPONSORS

There are a number of other organisations and individuals who have provided services, equipment and supplies at no cost.  The overall contribution is difficult to calculate but probably is well in excess of $100,000.   They are-

K & L Gates. 

This firm of lawyers undertook all legal services to the Shed including the incorporation and development of the lease with the RAS on a pro-bono basis.  Normal costs of these services would have been over $30,000.

 

Bunnings. 

Bunnings have donated equipment, tools and supplies and have been very supportive of the development of the Shed.

 

Metropolitan Appliance Services. 

Geoff Gorey the proprietor of this company arranged the supply of all kitchen equipment.

 

LD TOTAL and Richgro. 

These companies donated 8 cubic metres of high Quality Garden Soil providing all the needs of landscaping the garden area and planting out about 800 pots. Both LD TOTAL and Richgro both have a proud history of supporting local community based programmes.

 

Diamond Hire

A big thanks to Diamond Hire for the use of their hire equipment and a range of services they have provided in completing the Shed. Very much appreciated Guys.

 

In addition, the closure of Princess Margaret Hospital resulted in the Shed receiving an industrial dust extraction system, kitchen appliances, and meeting room furniture.  (Probably about $70,000 had the Shed been required to purchase these items)

And there were many donations of tools and equipment from the public that have been well utilised and most appreciated by the Shed.

Last, but by no means the least is the contribution of the team of Trevor Gorey and Peter Panek in getting the Shed started and now completed.  Both worked tirelessly in achieving results and funding beyond all expectations and in Peter’s case achieving a restoration program in a manner that saved the Shed at least $200,000 in costs.